Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
If only that fire had never happened…
The thought clung to Elaine’s mind like a dark cloud, and fresh tears welled up in her eyes.
Isabella, from the moment she saw Howard, pieced together the silent story his appearance told.
His skin, in various stages of peeling and damage, told a story of intense pain and suffering.
Even his feet appeared to bear the scars of whatever had happened to him.
“Isabella.”
Howard’s voice gently pulled her from her thoughts. He noticed her thoughtful gaze, but saw no fear—only compassion.
As Howard looked at his sister’s delicate, yet determined face, emotions he’d long kept buried began to stir. Here she was, his sister, finally standing before him after so many years apart.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to welcome you when you first returned,” Howard said, his voice laced with regret. “But I’ve been thinking of you. I have something for you.”
With a slightly trembling hand, he offered her a small gift box.
Isabella felt a surge of emotion as she took it, deeply moved by the gesture. Howard had withdrawn from the world, yet his heart remained full of kindness. He had never forgotten those he loved. Isabella couldn’t help but think how truly kind-hearted her brother was.
“Thank you, Howard,” she said, her voice warm. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small pouch. “I brought you a little something too.”
Howard accepted the pouch and opened it, revealing many small pills inside. “What are these?” he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
“They’re meant to help you regain some strength. Just take three a day,” Isabella said, her smile warm and reassuring.
Howard stared at the small pills, doubtful that something so insignificant could make any difference.
He couldn’t help but wonder if Isabella had been misled into buying them.
Yet, he didn’t want to dampen her spirits. “Thanks, Isabella. I’ll take them,” he replied, his tone gentle despite his skepticism.
“Howard, you chat with Isabella here. I’ll see what we have in the fridge and rustle up lunch.” Not waiting for a response, Elaine hurried toward the kitchen, fearing Howard might refuse her offer if she lingered.
Since the incident, Howard had retreated into his own small world, managing everything by himself.
Howard watched his mother go, a sigh escaping his lips. He understood her unspoken concern, the pain of their long separation weighing on both of them.
He didn’t object. Instead, he turned to Isabella and said, “Make yourself comfortable. I’ve got some fresh fruit here.”
Isabella glanced at the neatly arranged platter of fruit, her heart aching slightly. Here was her brother, once full of life and charm but now reduced to a solitary figure meticulously managing life on his own. Under different circumstances, he could have been the kind of person who captured hearts effortlessly.
“Howard, after the accident, did you ever seek out medical treatment?” Isabella spoke, her voice gentle.
Howard let out a deep sigh, and after a long pause, replied, “I tried… but nothing worked.”
The way he said it made it clear that he had seen countless doctors, each visit only deepening his despair.
“Would you let me take a look?” Isabella asked.
Howard didn’t reply, his silence speaking volumes. The thought of exposing his wounds, even to his own sister, was almost unbearable.
He had once been carefree, vibrant, and full of life, but now, he felt like a shadow of that person—a body marred by scars and a crippled leg, each a painful reminder of what he had lost.
Howard had kept his scars hidden from the world, even from his own family.
He had built walls around himself, distancing everyone, even those who loved him.
“Howard, if you trust me, let me help you. Maybe I can help you get better.” Isabella looked straight into his eyes, her voice unwavering.
As Howard met her gaze, something stirred within him—a sense of security he hadn’t felt in a long time. There was something in her voice, in the way she looked at him, that made him believe she might be telling the truth.
But… maybe she was just passionate about helping.
He knew Isabella had grown up with the Chapman family, and she hadn’t been treated well by them. Perhaps, that was what made her such a caring person. If he refused her now, it would probably hurt her deeply.
“Alright,” he whispered.
With a deep breath, Howard closed his eyes and began to remove his hat and mask.
As he did, his disfigured face slowly came into view.
Howard kept his eyes shut, bracing himself for the reaction he feared.
He could feel Isabella’s gaze on him, but instead of the recoil he expected, there was warmth—a gentle touch on his scarred skin. Surprised, he opened his eyes to find Isabella standing close, her hand resting softly against his face.
This was the first time since the accident that anyone had touched him with such tenderness.
Most people recoiled at the sight of him; even his family struggled to hide their discomfort.
But as he looked into Isabella’s eyes, something in him softened, and before he knew it, tears blurred his vision.
Isabella smiled, a warmth in her voice that was impossible to ignore. “You must have been very handsome.”
Howard blinked, caught off guard. Her words wrapped around him, and for a moment, he felt something he hadn’t in a long time—hope.
Most saw only the scars, but Isabella seemed to see beyond them.
“Don’t say that just to make me feel better,” he muttered, his voice thick with emotion as he struggled to accept the kindness she offered.
“I’m not just trying to make you feel better. I have a way to help you heal,” Isabella replied, her tone both gentle and resolute.
Inspecting Howard’s condition, Isabella continued, her expression calm yet serious, “Howard, this isn’t just about burns. You’ve been poisoned.”
Howard stared at her, shock washing over him. “Poisoned? What are you talking about?”
“Can you tell me exactly what happened?” Isabella asked, her voice soft.
Howard took a deep breath, the weight of his memories pressing down on him, but finally, he spoke. “There was a fire. I went in to save her. I managed to get her out, but then a beam collapsed on my leg. I blacked out. When I woke up… I was in the hospital.”
The memory of waking to find himself disfigured and crippled was a haunting nightmare that had never left him.
But poisoning? How could that be part of this?
Isabella listened closely, then paused, piecing together the puzzle. “I think I know what kind of poison it was. I’ll start by detoxifying you. For your skin, take the pills I gave you. You should see improvement within a week.”
Her voice carried a quiet confidence that made him want to believe her.
But doubt crept in—how could someone so young succeed where experienced doctors had failed?
“Alright… I hear you,” he said, more to keep her spirits up than out of belief.
Isabella could sense Howard’s skepticism, but it didn’t deter her. She knew that once he started the treatment, he’d see the results for himself.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Elaine busied herself, preparing ingredients with care, her eyes frequently drifting toward the door.
Seeing Howard and Isabella in deep conversation filled her with a sense of relief.
After all this time, Howard was finally opening up—because of Isabella.
Elaine wiped away a tear, focusing on her cooking with renewed purpose.
Isabella texted Jared, asking him to send over some herbs.
He arrived within the hour.
Isabella wasted no time, heading to the kitchen to prepare the medicine for Howard. As she entered the kitchen, she caught sight of her mother cooking.